Armed Forces Memorial
When one enters the modern cemetery, a sea of granite and white marble awaits: uniform, mass produced and undifferentiated. Instead of a monument to an individual, we see merely a catalogue, like index cards in a filing system. The well-made memorial should be a unique object for a unique person. It should respond to the person’s character, the character of the stone and setting and the desires of the client, for whom it acts as a tangible, physical, reminder of their loved one. This studio has been involved in the design and creation of memorials of every type, from large scale projects such as the Armed Forces Memorial to the smallest and most intimate markers. The large range of Studio experience enables us to empathise with and to satisfy a client’s needs.
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Armed Forces Memorial
Armed Forces Memorial, National Memorial Arboretum. This is one of the largest memorials in the country. This studio was commissioned by architect Liam O’Connor to set out the lettering scheme for all the names and all the large inscriptions. The memorial names every service personnel killed on duty since the end of the Second World…
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Royal Engineers Memorial, National Memorial Arboretum
The Royal Engineers approached the studio to design this memorial for them. The vast, 10 tonne, granite blocks were given to the Royal Engineers by the people of the Falkland Isles and had to be incorporated into the memorial. Having them appear to float above the ground releases the energy of the stone, turning them…
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9/11 Memorial, Grosvenor Square.
The studio was asked to design the lettering scheme for the memorial erected to all the British dead of 9/11 in Grosvenor Square. The names were set out using Palatino bold, cut out and finally sand cast into bronze. This gives a rich, sculptural effect which has the gravity and sense of weight that is…
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People of London, St Paul’s Cathedral
Memorial to the people of London who died in the blitz 1939 — 1945. The memorial, carved from a three ton block of Irish limestone, is placed outside St Paul’s Cathedral. The position of the memorial adjacent to St Paul’s is most appropriate, as most people will remember the dramatic photograph of the Cathedral dome…
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Commonwealth Memorial, Constitution Hill
A recent War Memorial in central London to all the soldiers from the Commonwealth who fought with Britain in the two World Wars. Architect Liam O’Connor commissioned the studio to set out and carve the lettering on the memorial, which is constructed from Portland stone.
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Headstone: Martyn
Welsh slate headstone with traditional rounded top. This illustration shows the quality of letter cutting possible on the fine surface of slate. The edge of the headstone has been softened and a border text has been carved around the edge. Slate, although it carves beautifully, has a unique characteristic of being virtually immune from weathering.…
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Headstone: Black
Headstone carved from Clashach sandstone. This very hard and fine sandstone comes from near Elgin in the Highlands of Scotland. The smooth surface of the stone can yield fine letters. This design reflects many of the characteristics of a traditional headstone, with a large aspect and bold bead moulding to the edge. The inscription has…
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Yehudi Menuhin Standing Stone, Stoke d’Abernon
Caithness flagstone, 3.8m tall. This standing stone memorial was commissioned to stand in the grounds of the school which he founded. There is a beautiful contrast between the stone, which blends seamlessly with the landscape, and the elegance of the lettering. Note the use of flourishes, something more usually associated with slate, but which here…
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Dunblane Massacre Standing Stone, Dunblane Cathedral
Clashach sandstone. This memorial was commissioned to stand in the cathedral. It is carved on all four sides with texts especially chosen for their relevance to the tragedy and to children, who were the main victims of this brutal act.